Streetcar Q & A

Apr. 24, 2008

Answer: Modern, low-profile, electric-powered streetcars on rails embedded in the road surface, running in a 4-mile loop between McMicken Avenue in Over-the-Rhine and The Banks downtown, connected to a second Uptown loop on a yet-to-be-determined route. Stops would be installed roughly every two blocks; trains would go about 12 mph.

Q: Why not just add more buses?

A: Streetcars hold more people, so the net operating cost is less. Also, other cities have found that real-estate investors and riders like the fact that streetcar lines are permanent and won't shift the way bus lines can.

Q: How much would it cost?

A: About $185 million. That includes $102 million for the downtown and Over-the-Rhine portion, $35 million for a connector line, and about $48 million for an Uptown loop.

Q: How many people would ride it?

A: Planners estimate the downtown/OTR line will draw an average of 4,600 daily rides, not counting special events. No ridership studies have been conducted in Uptown yet.

Q: Will fares cover operating and maintenance?

A: Maybe not. Planners assumed tickets would cost $1, which at the time matched Metro bus fares. Now that Metro rides cost $1.50, the streetcar plan could adjust its prices to match, or raise them to generate more revenue. Private companies may contribute through sponsorships, ads and promotions. The motion passed Wednesday specifies that operating costs cannot be paid out of general revenue funds.

Q: What's the goal?

A: To attract economic development and new residents to Over-the-Rhine and Uptown, and generate more than $1.5 billion in private investment over the next 15 years. Other cities have found that young professionals are eager to live in historic areas with easy access to work and the potential to do without a car.

Q: What happens next?

A: First, meetings with private interests to solicit contributions. If that raises enough money, city council could give the final go-ahead for construction. At this point, the earliest a system could open would be 2011 or 2012.